THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, our nation was sickened
by the murder of an American civilian, Nicholas Berg. The savage
execution of this innocent man reminds us of the true nature of our
terrorist enemy, and of the stakes in this struggle. The terrorists
rejoice in the killing of the innocent, and have promised similar
violence against Americans, against all free peoples, and against any
Muslims who reject their ideology of murder. Their barbarism cannot be
appeased, and their hatred cannot be satisfied. There's only one way
to deal with terror: We must confront the enemy and stay on the
offensive until these killers are defeated.

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And this is precisely what our armed forces, and the forces of our
coalition, are doing. In and around Fallujah, U.S. Marines are
conducting joint patrols with local Iraqis to take back the city from
Saddam loyalists and foreign fighters and other militants. In nearby
towns, Marines are conducting raids to disrupt enemy attacks on supply
routes and to root out anti-coalition fighters.

To the south, in and around the cities of Najaf and Karbala, U.S.
Army soldiers and Iraqi security forces are systematically dismantling
the illegal militia led by the radical cleric al Sadr that has incited
violence and attempted to seize control. Iraqi security forces ejected
elements of this militia from a mosque in Karbala that was being used
to store ammunition. The Iraqi people oppose the actions of this
illegal militia, and Shia religious leaders have called on it to
withdraw. Recent days have seen demonstrations in which ordinary
Iraqis have taken to the streets, calling on the militia to withdraw
from their cities and towns.

As we attack and defeat the enemies of freedom in Iraq, we will
continue to work with Iraqi leaders to build a free, democratic and
independent government. The United Nations Special Envoy, Mr. Brahimi,
is now back in Iraq, consulting with diverse groups of Iraqis. In the
next few weeks, important decisions will be made on the make-up of an
interim government. And on June 30th, the flag of a free Iraq will be
raised, and Iraq's new interim government will assume a sovereign
authority. America will keep its commitment to the independence and
national dignity of the Iraqi people. Yet the vital mission of our
military in helping to provide security will continue on July 1st and
beyond.

Coalition forces are training thousands of Iraqis to protect a free
Iraq from external aggression and internal subversion. Our forces will
remain in Iraq to assist the Iraqi people until Iraqis can secure their
own country. Our country has great respect for the Iraqi people, and
we are determined to expose and punish the abuse of Iraqi detainees.
Charges have been filed against seven soldiers, and the first trial is
set to begin next week. My administration and our military are
determined that such abuses never happen again.

All Americans know that the actions of a few do not reflect the
true character of the United States Armed Forces. No military in the
history of the world has fought so hard and so often for the freedom of
others. Today, our forces are keeping terrorists across the world on
the run. They're helping the people of Afghanistan and Iraq to build
democratic societies, making America more secure. By their example,
the people of those countries and of the countries around the world are
coming to know that freedom is the answer to hopelessness and terror.
Our servicemen and women are defending America with unselfish courage,
and their achievements have brought pride and credit to this nation.